Thursday, August 1, 2013

Breed of the Month--Miniature Bull Terrier



Miniature Bull Terrier

Color:  Pure white, white with markings, and color predominating
Height:  10-14 inches (no more than 14 inches)
Weight:  25-35 lbs
Life Span:  10-14 years

Breed Health Concerns:  allergies, congenital deafness, primary lens luxation, mitral dysplasia, compulsive tail chasing, and subaortic stenosis.

Coat:  Harsh, flat, glossy, short; in winter a soft-textured undercoat may be present
Country of Origin:  England


Visit the American Kennel Club for breed standards and more information.

As with its standard cousin, the Miniature Bull Terrier was originally created from bull and terrier breeds.  As stated in my previous post, the Bull Terrier breed was established by Englishman James Hinks in the 1850s by crossing a Bulldog with the white English Terrier (now extinct).  The Bull Terrier was bred for agility, tenacity, and endurance.

Bull Terriers ranged from as little as 3 pounds up to 50 pounds at one time.  The smaller version of the Bull Terrier with the same features of its larger-sized counterpart was admired by many breeders.  They continued breeding these smaller versions to make a more manageable house pet.  Although the Miniature Bull Terrier breed was shown in the United States in the early 1900s, the breed was not accepted by the American Kennel Club until 1991.

The best word to describe the Miniature Bull Terrier is ACTIVE.  This compact bundle of fun is playful and clownish.  This breed enjoys being the center of attention.  He is very protective of his family and must be "kept in check" so as not to become over-protective or aggressive.  Miniature Bull Terriers have a tendency to chew many objects, so it is important to train early and often and to keep valuables out of reach.

Exercise:
The Miniature Bull Terrier enjoys being part of the action, whatever it may be.  He requires a lot of regular daily physical and mental activity.  He enjoys games like fetch or finding an object.  He is energetic and playful and loves being active.

Grooming:
The Miniature Bull Terrier requires little, but regular grooming.  A hound glove and soft brush every now and then are sufficient to keep him looking and feeling great.  Special care must be taken to ensure his skin around the eyes and ear canals stay clean.

Training:
Properly socializing the Miniature Bull Terrier from puppyhood is essential.  This breed needs a firm leader using positive reinforcement and proper motivation to learn.  It is best to keep this breed's training sessions very short, sweet, and to the point.  His natural, silly nature makes him a great candidate for teaching fun tricks.

Such a cute little puppy.



Size comparison.
A Miniature Bull Terrier with a standard Bull Terrier.


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